Coin Profile: Hungary Issues Matthias I Piedfort Gold Coins
Hungary’s latest “Gold Florins of Hungary” issue honors King Matthias I with modern coins inspired by the medieval gold florins struck during his reign.
The newest entry in the “Gold Florins of Hungary” series celebrates florins of Matthias I, who ruled Hungary from 1458 to 1490. Struck by the Hungarian Mint this year and denominated in 50,000 forints, two different gold coins will be issued: one in 1-ducat weight and the other in quadruple-ducat piedfort format. A copper-nickel-zinc alloy 5,000-forint version will be issued as well.
The “Gold Florins of Hungary” series launched in 2012 with a 10,000-forint coin honoring the first gold florins produced under the rule of King Charles I in Hungary in 1325. Further commemorative coins, with denominations from 2,000 to 50,000 forint and in a range of metallic compositions, have been issued yearly from 2012 to 2014, and biannually from 2016 to 2024.
The 2026 issue commemorates Mathias I, whose rule in the latter half of the 15th century was marked by sweeping reforms aimed at building a powerful, centralized Hungarian state.
According to a press release from the Vermont-based Coins & Currency Institute, the Hungarian Mint’s North American Representative, the 2026 gold issue’s “designs are identical and are based on the coins listed as Friedberg number 22 in the 10th edition of Gold Coins of the World.”
The 2026 gold issue “are of the traditional standard of .986 fine gold and are struck in proof-like quality,” per the press release. The central devices on its obverse and reverse replicate the design of florins issued during Matthias’ rule, surrounded by plain and slightly raised semi-circular bands. Its obverse depicts St. Ladislas standing, holding an orb and a battle ax, with a legend “MAGYARORSZÁG” in the plain band arcing around the top of the obverse, with the BP mintmark and date at 9 o’clock and 3 o’clock respectively. The denomination appears in the slightly raised band around the lower half of the central motif.
The central motif on its reverse depicts Madonna seated, holding the infant Christ. The legend “I.
ÁTYÁSARANYFORINTJA” (gold florin of Matthias I) appears in the plain band around the top, while the reverse’s plain semicircular band bears the dates of his reign “1458” and “1490,” sharing the first two digits, and the artist’s signature at left. The raised lower band bears the legend “MATHIAS REX” (King Matthias) in two lines, and the Hunyadi family’s coat of arms, a raven on a branch holding a ring in its beak.
The edges of the 1-ducat and base-metal versions are plain, while on the edge of the piedfort a legend reading “PATRONA HVNGARIE” appears twice, separated by dots. The legend’s font is the same as a font that appeared on “garas” coins, silver coins struck in the Middle Ages and early modern period.
According to the press release, the 1 ducat weighs 3.491 grams, has a mintage of 2,000 pieces, and costs $675. The 4 ducat piedfort weighs 13.964 grams and is limited to 500 coins, costing $2,685. The brilliant uncirculated base metal issue weighs 2.7 grams and has a mintage of 5,000 for $23.95. All coins measure 20 mm in diameter.
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